8 Days Cultural Tour to Omo Valley Tribes

Overview

The lower Omo Valley of southern Ethiopia is home to some of the world’s last unchanged cultural groups. The area is a melting pot of cultures and communities and represents some of the greatest genetic variances on the continent. Many describe the Omo as being the birthplace of mankind. It’s not hard to see why.

Day 1

Arrival at Bole International Airport. Reception by our guide and driver and transfer to hotel for check-in. City tour of Addis Ababa including the panoramic viewpoint Entoto Mountain, Merkato, said to be Africa’s largest market of its kind, and the National Museum (home of Lucy, hominid skeleton dating back 3.2 million years) and the ethnographic museums.
Overnight in Addis Ababa.

Day 2

Depart south from Addis via the Great Rift Valley, stopping on the way at Lake Ziway to visit the bountiful birdlife on the shores of the lake. Continue driving to Arba Minch via Sodo, Ascend into the Gughe Mountains to visit the Dorze people, who are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. After the visit, continue to Arba Minch overnight in Arba Minch. Overnight Lodge.

Day 3

In the morning, take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the crocodile market and hippo pods after the boat trip, continue driving to Jinka via Weyto (market day Sunday) and Key Afar (market day Thursday).
Overnight in Jinka.

Day 4

After breakfast drive to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi tribe, who are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. Afterward, return to Jinka to the Ari village and visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center for more information about the tribes. Additionally, Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Jinka, which will be visited.
Overnight in Jinka.

Day 5

Drive Jinka to Turmi, home of the Hamer people. On the way, stop in Dimeka for the local market, which is on Tuesdays and Saturdays. This is one of the most colorful markets in the South Omo and is visited by neighborhood Hamer, Benna, Karo, Tsemai, and Ari tribes.
Overnight in Turmi. At night, see the traditional night dancing of the Hamer people, known as Evangadi.​

Day 6

Today will be a day trip to visit the people of the Karo tribe. Depart from Turmi to the villages of Murulle, Kolcho, and Dus on the shores of the Omo River. The Karo people are the smallest in a number of all of the tribes of the Omo Valley, and they are known for their elaborate decorations, particularly during local ceremonies.
Overnight in Turmi.

Day 7

Depart from Turmi to Arba Minch, via Erbore in the Weyto valley and Konso. Friday is market day in Erbore, so if passing on this day, the market will be visited. Stop in Konso for a visit with the Konso people, who are known for their totems erected in honor of the dead and their intricate agricultural terracing techniques. Afterward, continue to Arba Minch
overnight in Arba Minch.

Day 8

In the evening, farewell party with a cultural dinner and traditional special buffet and local drinks to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks. After the farewell party transfer to the airport for international departure. End of the Tour. Upon request, the above tour program can be modified, differently rearranged, combined with other itineraries, and can be shortened or extended to suit your interest, time, and budget. Please contact us for further details.